By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The warm forecast could cause some crops to wake up and get damaged by any possible winter freezing.

Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel said the while the groundhog called for more winter this year, winter has not stayed too long this time around.

“The groundhog I think forecasted six more weeks of winter and we really have not had any winter to speak of for the last several weeks now and, in fact, right now we’re looking at record, or near record, high temperatures,” he said.

However, Angel explained just becuase it has been warm the past few days doesn’t mean it will stay warm for too long.

“There’s always still the risk of either a snowstorm and/or cold air outbreaks in the coming weeks,” he said. “It’s still February, so we could easily turn back into temperatures in the teens or 20s in the times ahead.”

Angel said the warm weather could actually have some serious consequences on local crops.

“It’s going to fool the fruit trees into thinking that it’s time to get going and they’ll actually kick out of dormancy, which will make them vulnerable to any kind of late freeze that may occur later,” he said.

Crops like fruit trees, winter wheat or alfalfa could be tricked to waking up and possibly damaged by any freezing that winter might still bring.

Angel said drier weather in eastern and southern Illinois also is a concern. The forecast has highs across the state in the 60s with plenty of sunshine.